Katherine Elaine Kennedy, 78 of Carman, passed away on January 13, 2021, at the Carman Memorial Hospital. Katherine was born in Picton, Ontario to Keith and Alma Ostrander on March 15, 1942. She grew up living on the family dairy and apple orchard farm in Waupoos, Ontario with her siblings Carol, and Warren. Mom attended high school in Picton where she met and later married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life Robert (Bob) Kennedy. After dad joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, mom and dad married on June 6, 1964 and were transferred to Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia. It was here, on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia they welcomed their daughter, Janet Lee. While enjoying their time on the East coast, mom was delighted about their transfer to Ottawa, Ontario in 1968 so they could be closer to family. It was in Ottawa where their son Todd Robert was born. In the summer of 1976 the family moved to Beausejour, Manitoba where mom became involved in a number of community organizations such as the Red Cross, figure skating committee and minor hockey association. In 1981 the Kennedy’s were transferred to Winnipegosis, Manitoba where mom once again became involved in a number of activities within this community. Their last transfer was to Carman, Manitoba in the summer of 1984. This is where mom began her career as a Health Care Aide at the Boyne Lodge. Lifelong friendships were made there, and mom continued to stay in touch with all of these friends following her working years at the Lodge. The light of Katherine’s life was her family. Mom referred to her four grandchildren – Jordan, Megan, Jack and Beau as her “angels”. Mom loved sharing pictures and stories about her family with friends and was committed to spending as much time as possible with them. She followed her grandchildren across Canada and the United States, watching numerous hockey, football, soccer, and ball games, along with many music recitals. She always sat proudly cheering them on from the stands as their number one fan. After being widowed at age 48, mom continued to be a strong role model for our family. She loved us passionately and cared for us selflessly. Mom always made the simple things fun and she had more energy than all of us. She had a quick wit, a way with words, and unforgettable expressions that always made us laugh. Mom remained dedicated to dad until her passing; we are at peace knowing they are together again. We are so thankful to carry these wonderful experiences and memories with us. Katherine is preceded in death by her husband Robert (Bob), her parents Keith and Alma Ostrander, her mother and father-in law, Christopher and Alyce Kennedy, her brother Warren Ostrander, and brother-in-law William (Bill) Kellington. Katherine is survived by her son Todd (Andrea) Kennedy, daughter Janet (Brad) Neduzak, grandsons Jordan, Jack and Beau, grand-daughter Megan, sister Carol, sister-in-law(s) Betty and Clarene (David) and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial donations may be made to: Carman Hospital Palliative Care (Box 610, Carman, Manitoba ROG OJO) or Boyne Valley Hostel Corp (Boyne Lodge) (Box 1644 Carman, Manitoba ROG OJO) The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff at The Carman Memorial Hospital, Boundary Trails Health Centre, the St. Boniface Heart Failure Clinic as well as Dr. Janelle Braun and staff at the Carman Community Health Centre. Thank you to all of mom’s many friends who were a true blessing in her life. Throughout mom’s travels, lifelong friendships were made in each of the communities they lived in. Thank you for staying connected to mom with your phone calls and cards over the years as it certainly meant the world to her. Tucked away in mom’s room was a handwritten verse that we felt she would want us to share.
“Heavens’ gates were open
I was told to walk through,
But I stopped and looked back
I did not want to leave all of you.
God told me it’s okay
You would all understand
He gently reached out to me
And I quietly took his hand
I ask you not to worry
And please do not cry
For I lived my life with happiness
And the time had come to say good-bye.”